temperamental

adjective

ˌtem-p(ə-)rə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce temperamental (audio)
Definition of temperamentalnext
1
as in moody
frequently influenced by moods and especially bad moods one of those temperamental actresses who can make life difficult for everyone around her

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2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly stock prices have been pretty temperamental lately, often fluctuating wildly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of temperamental All the while, the solar panel sat off to one side against the car, topping up the power in dribs and drabs as the temperamental Melbourne weather allowed. — Mike McRae 04, New Atlas, 5 July 2026 But the temperamental Lanza dropped out after recording his songs, and British actor Edmund Purdom acted his role and mouthed the songs. — ABC News, 26 June 2026 The machine's temperamental nature began to bother her. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 24 June 2026 Ambition meets heart as the temperamental Moon in your 10th House of Career conjoins warrior Mars there, sharpening visibility and focus. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for temperamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temperamental
  1. moody
  2. volatile
  3. impulsive
  4. unpredictable
  5. unstable
Adjective
  • The lighting is somewhere between fantasy and noir, all moody shadows and otherworldly mists, precise and in no way naturalistic.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 July 2026
  • The Odyssey tweaks Homer’s classic story into a moodier version of the swords-and-sandals epic—and represents a rare swerve away from tired sequels, cheap remakes, and creaky cinematic universes.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
Definition of moody
Adjective
  • The South Korean benchmark now hovers at around 6,700, having experienced volatile swings due to the heavy dependence on heavyweights Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 24 July 2026
  • As a politician of some experience, she is presumably unfazed by the sorts of challenges that come with governing a volatile section of her volatile country.
    — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of volatile
Adjective
  • But Magdalen’s temporary embodiment of her sister’s demure, obedient nature does not temper her impulsive, dramatic tendencies—only the development of an empathetic, analytical intelligence can do that.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
  • This matters because Arraez seems like the kind of player who could get a GM or president of baseball operations to do something impulsive.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of impulsive
Adjective
  • These maps account for a range of variables, including cargo-shipping routes, surface currents, wind patterns, and the unpredictable drift of objects at sea.
    — Alexander Klose, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
  • Much of Crown Center is indoors or covered, which is a big plus for when weather becomes unpredictable.
    — Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • This change is motivated by companies requiring ongoing, real-time decisions due to unstable supply chains and high customer expectations.
    — Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Too often, Chelsea appeared vulnerable, ill-disciplined and unstable at the back, lacking composure and physicality.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of unstable

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temperamental
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Cite this Entry

“Temperamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temperamental. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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